Vendor to expand reach in the cyber security and incident response solutions segment

AccessData, a provider of digital investigations, cyber security and litigation support solutions has signed ARM, a VAD of cyber security products as its Middle East and Africa (MEA) distribution partner.

Under the accord, ARM is responsible for business development, market expansion and will help AccessData to build the channel partner community in the MEA region through an aggressive partner recruitment drive.

Simon Whitburn, senior vice president and general manager, AccessData said: "Traditionally we invested in a very small number of technology partners because our heritage business in the forensics space was very niche and focused almost entirely on the law enforcement vertical. However, our operations in the Middle East now need to be driven by a larger channel base. This is because the corporate sector in the region demands the capability to conduct their own in-house digital investigations, as well as in-house rapid detection and response to defend against hackers, malware and advanced persistent threats."

Whitburn said the company already has an existing channel engagement with DRS, ARM's sister company in South Africa. "We thought it's only logical to extend the relationship to the Middle East as the distributor is very familiar with our highly specialised technology," he said.

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ARM said it is seeking to recruit partners that are serious on developing their security portfolios, understand networks and have experience in verticals that are important to national infrastructure, such as government, telecommunications, energy, utilities, and banking and finance.

The distributor added that it will direct its efforts in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, which represent key growth markets for AccessData.

Robert Brown, executive director, ARM said: "AccessData's forensics and cyber security solutions portfolio is unique. There are companies that compete with AccessData in the different segments, but there is no one that goes from detection all the way to remediation and allows you to effectively use one interface to manage everything. We will focus exclusively on AccessData for at least the first year."

Brown said forensic techniques for digital investigations and incident root cause analysis are relatively new concepts in the region, hence time and effort is required to educate the channel and end-users. "Due to the recent surge in cybercrime attacks in the region, the potential for uptake of the solution portfolio is huge and our efforts are sure to pay off in the long run," he said.